章節 1533: Intentions
Unable to decide the fate of an 'Emperor' on her own, Jagoda had the Imperial Guards prepare one of the suites typically reserved for housing foreign dignitaries. These were well-furnished rooms that were dutifully attended by the Imperial Palace's service staff. They were also equipped with powerful defensive spells that made it very difficult to break in, and out, of the room's interior. This effectively made the rooms very lavish cells, ensuring foreign dignitaries weren't saboteurs and spies.
Fortunately, Vahn was very compliant with their demands, even agreeing to allow members of the Sealing Corps to place a powerful barrier around the room. He didn't seem to particularly care what methods they used to try and keep him contained, so long as they didn't tarnish his dignity. Rather, much to the chagrin of Jagoda and the Imperial Guard, he seemed to find their efforts 'amusing', his face fixed in a perpetual smile that radiated confidence. It was almost as if he believed nothing could harm him, frustrating quite a number of people...
---
Several hours after requesting an audience, Jagoda found herself bowing low reverentially before a man with a sturdy figure, a kind smile, a mane of golden hair, and, most notably, two blazing golden eyes. He was a veteran of hundreds of battles, granting him an inherent ferocity that belied the great wisdom he had accumulated over nearly three hundred years as Emperor. This was none other than the Four Emperor of the Hellas Empire, Michael Bashireia Herasu De Vesuperisujimia, the man known to many as the Great Lion of the South.
Having heard Jagoda's report, Michael, simply known as Mike or Leo to his friends, had a thoughtful look on his face as he asked, "So, you're telling me the man that mysteriously appeared in the room of my daughter is the Emperor of an Empire we have never heard of? How certain are you...?"
With her head still bowed low, Jagoda unhesitantly answered, "I had Magister Orlich to analyze the [Jurist Scale] to ensure it hadn't been tampered with. Based on his analysis, there is reason to believe that man, Vahn Aldrnari Mason, is telling the truth."
Hearing Jagoda's response, Michael issued a low 'hooo...' before leaning to the side and using his hand to support his chin. He didn't doubt the veracity of Jagoda's claims, but, based on the title that was associated with Vahn, things could become troublesome. It could just be something arbitrarily made up, much like his own 'Great Lion of the South', but, considering it included his status as an Emperor, it was dangerous to make assumptions. Terms like 'Sage' and 'Dragon' weren't things that couldn't be overlooked, with the former belonging to a very rare classification of Alchemists and the latter belonging to one of the most powerful species in Mundus Magicus.
In the Magical World, the majority of Magical Creature, including Demihumans, possessed the ability to transition between a humanoid form and a bestial form. Generally speaking, the stronger an entity was, the more convincing it's 'human' transformation was. This had always been a contentious issue for the more 'zealous' factions among the Demihumans, but, when it came to classifying the power of Dragons, Demons, and Spirits, their ability to disguise as humans often directly represented their overall power. This held true even for their Guardian Spirit, who, every now and then, manifested as a kindly old man to hand out candy to children in the streets.
Though it wasn't likely, there was a non-negligible chance that Vahn, who seemingly appeared out of thin air, was a type of Dragon. They had a very strong connection to the Spirits, more so than even the High Elves of Elfenhof. Since it was reported that Vahn was able to manifest items and freely use magic, even in a cell designed to inhibit its use, it was obvious he had a very powerful connection to the Spirits. This was something that could be overlooked, as, during the reign of his father, Michael had witnessed a coastal city completely flattened by the Greater Elemental Spirit, Gnome. From then onward, he never underestimated the might of Spirit Magic, even going so far as to issue research grants to ensure their most brilliant minds were constantly making breakthroughs in its usage...
After organizing his thoughts, Michael turned his gaze back to Jagoda, asking, "You said he is willing to accept responsibility for his crimes...what do you make of this?"
Realizing what her Emperor was asking, Jagoda paused for a brief moment before saying, "I believe he wants to test himself...there is an aura of supreme confidence that permeates the air around him, almost as if he fears nothing. If my speculation is correct...I believe he is trying to test us...as for what his true purpose is, I cannot say. All I know for certain is that my instincts are screaming at me to not underestimate him..."
As one of the most powerful combatants within his Empire, Michael had also felt the terrifying aura that was released when Vahn summoned Laev-tan. He had even convened an emergency council to discuss the matter prior to Jagoda's arrival, ultimately culminating in his daughter being taken away to a safe location. The fact Vahn had appeared in her room was enough of a reason to temporarily remove her from the Palace, as, due to her rather 'spirited' nature, there was a very real chance she might sneak into the dungeon to visit her would-be assassin.
Restraining a sigh, Michael looked toward the direction of the Coliseum, lamenting the fact that Jack had recently departed to subdue a rampaging sea monster near the coast. He was still young, but, if they were to go all-out against each other, Michael wasn't sure he could win without wasting some of the Empire's trump cards. The youth had even picked a fight with their Guardian Spirit as part of his request for securing a hundred victories in the Coliseum. In the end, neither had been able to get an advantage against the other, but, as a result of that encounter, Jack had become another one of the Empire's Guardians.
Remembering the battle between Jack and Vrixho, a smile spread across Michael's face. He had quite a bit of fondness for the rather barbaric youth, even allowing his youngest daughter to treat him like an older brother. If not for Jack being half-human, making it impossible for the Aristocracy to accept him, he might have even engaged the two once his daughter matured. Unfortunately, even if he was to make an exception, Jack would die of old age long before the time of their actual wedding...
Shaking his head, Michael looked back at Jagoda, stating, "I believe your speculation is correct. There is a fair chance this Sage Dragon Emperor comes from a world beyond Mundus Magicus. At the very least, we can be relatively certain he holds no ill-will towards my daughter. If he is as powerful as the reports make him out to be, I fear she would have already been taken or killed. For now, we will test his capabilities by having him fight in the Coliseum. I am tempted to pardon him, but, based on your account, I believe he 'wants' to fight. This would imply he has some knowledge of our laws, so, until we can ascertain exactly how dangerous he is, it is best to simply observe. Once Jack returns from his subjugation, we will see how he matches up against the reigning Champion..."
Hearing her Emperor mention Jack's name, Jagoda had to restrain a sigh of her own as she recalled the man barging into the Palace several times over the last few years. There was almost nothing they could do about him, as, even after offending some of the more 'troublesome' factions, he had come out unscathed. The Second Prince has even hired an Assassin graded as an S-Rank threat, but, three days after accepting the commission, the Assassin ended up crucified in the central courtyard of the Second Prince's estate.
If she were being honest, Jagoda felt Jack was one of the greatest threats to the Empire, but, in spite of this, the Emperor and the Third Princess seemed fond of him. Jack would even call the Emperor by his nickname, and, on one occasion, he even helped the Third Princess sneak out to go view matches in the Coliseum. He was a completely unfettered individual who simply did as he pleased, a veritable nightmare for those who were tasked with upholding the law. After all, even if they pinned crimes on him, he would simply regain his freedom by battling in the Coliseum...
Ignoring her own apprehensions, Jagoda lowed her head even further, saying, "Your will be done." in a respectful tone. Then, after being granted permission to leave, she slowly rose to her feet, keeping her head bowed and taking nine steps back before turning around. She now had her orders, so, even if Vahn was an Emperor, she would carry out the will of her own. As for her personal feelings toward Jack, they meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. His power had removed quite a number of threats to the Empire and its people, so, even if his mere presence infuriated her, she was able to tolerate him for the sake of the Empire...
---
Much like when he had first entered the Nasuverse, Vahn had some difficulty trying to sense certain areas with his domain. Unlike the Nasuverse, however, it didn't take long for him to probe such areas with his intent, even entering the most secure regions of the Imperial Palace without notice. Even if it was an area protected by powerful ancient wards, completely separating the interior space form the outside, he was able to send his intent forward all the same.
When it came to gathering information or spying on people, Vahn had reached a level that would horrify anyone with secrets to keep. He could even spy on Tier 5 deities like the Olympians, so, when it came time for Jagoda to meet with the Emperor, Vahn's intent was right there alongside her. As a result, his casual smile had turned into an excited grin after hearing the Emperor's orders regarding his treatment.
Though it wouldn't take much effort for him to simply leave and track down someone like Jack using his own means, Vahn didn't want to be labeled as a criminal just yet. He would rather be feared and discussed behind the scenes rather than have an international bounty placed on his head. While this might not matter in the long run, the Great Magic War was less than two years away. Many powerful figures would appear during that time, and, at one point, one of the most legendary groups to ever grace the Magical World would be formed, Ala Rubra.
While history never specifically stated when the battle would occur, Vahn knew that Ala Rubra would be in direct contention to the group backed by the Mage of the Beginning, Cosmo Entelecheia. If he timed things correctly, dealing with the Mage of the Beginning might change from a difficult feat to a relatively simple matter. Thus, while he had no intention to join Ala Rubra directly, Vahn believed it wouldn't be such a bad idea to befriend them. This was, of course, assuming he didn't meet up with Eva early on and increase his power to monstrous levels...
As it stood, Vahn didn't have the intention of being directly affiliated with any nation. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't become involved with them during his travels. He had always possessed a fondness for so-called Demi-humans, and, at some point, he was bound to come across injustices he simply couldn't ignore. Even now, he was able to detect some of the Palace staff walking around with slave collars on their necks, and, like every country, there seemed to be a mind-numbing amount of shady dealings taking place beneath the surface.
Even if he didn't plan to settle in a specific location, part of being a Vagrant Hero was being a busy-body that was hated by the Aristocracy and loved by the people. So long as his power and mobility transcended their ability to deal with, he could basically do whatever he wanted. He already had the intention of pretty much freeing most slaves he encountered, and, if he discovered them, it was all but guaranteed he would bury any 'disreputable' organizations. This would undoubtedly undermine the balance within nations, creating a power vacuum that would be readily filled by other criminals, but, if he kept it up, even the vilest individuals would begin to lay low.
With Eva being famous enough that mothers used her name to scare their children into obedience, Vahn was intended to become a name that caused criminals, including Nobles, to tremble. He might even dabble in 'replacing' world leaders with dangerous mentalities, preventing the coming war, or, at the very least, stopping it from reaching the point of becoming 'Great'. He already planned to visit Ostia, the so-called 'Holy Land' of the Magical World, once he finished acclimating to the Record. If he took action early on, he would be able to prevent the country's destruction, avoiding the loss of millions of lives and the forceful enslavement of tens-of-millions of innocents.
Most historians still debated what exactly transpired to trigger the onset of the Great Magic War, but none of them argued which nation had suffered the most. Ostia was currently the most scenic nation in the entire Magical World, and, though its technology suffered behind some of the more 'forward-thinking' nations, its magical might was second to none. It was considered by many to be the literal heart of Mundus Magicus, representing the oldest nation in existence, Vespertatia. Their Royal Family were the only wielders of Royal and Ancient Magic in the entire world, and, according to speculation, they were descended directly from the 'Life Maker', one of many aliases belonging to the Mage of the Beginning.
Even if his primary goal was to find, save, and protect Eva, that didn't mean Vahn would turn a blind eye to everything else. He wouldn't just let some 'evil organization' do whatever they wanted behind the scenes, especially if it involved the sacrifice of literal millions of people. Rather, unless he wanted to go picking fights with the Greater Elementals and Guardian Spirits, battling against the members of Cosmo Entelecheia was the best possible way to polish his skill. This would also set back the plans of the Mage of the Beginning, an enemy he would undoubtedly have to face in the future. Eva would not simply abandon the Record until she had her revenge, and, after making a promise, Vahn would go to extreme lengths to keep it...
With a light knock sounding from the reinforced wooden door of his 'suite', Vahn retracted his intent and said, "You may enter..." in a calm tone. He already knew who had arrived so he wasn't phased in the slightest when Jagoda, accompanied by two relatively powerful people, entered the room.
Without beating around the bush, Jagoda stated in the firmest tone she could manage, "After careful deliberation, your sentence has been decided. In accordance with Title 8, Chapter 38, sub-sections 10 and 23, you have been sentenced to gladiatorial service for a period not exceeding two years. During that time, so long as you are able to secure one-hundred consecutive victories, you will be pardoned of all wrong-doing, your record expunged, and your name cleared. Do you have any questions?"
Rather than answer immediately, Vahn rose from the edge of his bed, causing the rather brutish man behind Jagoda to place his hand on the hilt of his sword. He looked like the type of person that had lived his entire life on the battlefield, his bronzed body covered in dozens of scars as a rather potent killing intent permeated through his aura. As for the other man, he had the appearance of an elderly scholar, but, of the two, Vahn knew the latter was far more dangerous.
Ignoring the glare he was receiving from the 213cm tall man, Vahn returned a casual smile and said, "Very well. As I stated previously, I am willing to be held accountable for my wrongdoings. However, I also remember stating you should not forget my status..."
With SSS-Rank [Shundo], Vahn appeared behind the trio before his original body showed any signs of dispersing, adding, "Addressing an Emperor as 'you' isn't exactly appropriate...I will overlook it in this instance, but you would do well to remember basic propriety in the future..."
Without waiting for Jagoda's response, Vahn departed the open door, causing the waiting platoon of Imperial Guards to form a phalanx-like formation as they slowly backed away from him. They would not attack until instructed, but, when a loud metallic sound echoed in the surroundings, some of the less disciplined men nearly fired their paralyzing beams on impulse. After all, it wasn't every day you saw the Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Court Mage collapse in an instant...
As if he hadn't just knocked out two of the most powerful people in the Hellas Empire, Vahn held out his wrists to the encirclement, a smile on his face as he asked, "Shall we depart...?"
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'There is no contest between a Dragon and a Lion~','Vahn about to rain on the parade of so many people xD...','Bullying is not okay...!!')
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章節 1534: Bottom Line
Knocking out two civil officials would normally earn him additional sentencing, but, considering the Commander of the Imperial Guard had placed his hand upon his sword, Vahn had ample justification to act. It was also a simple truth that, instead of treating him like a dignitary, which required proper usage of his title, they were still looking down on him. This didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but, if someone looked down on him, Vahn wouldn't hesitate to return the favor...
With his arms bound in magical shackles, Vahn allowed himself to be escorted to a docking station on the west side of the Palace. Here, hundreds of fish-like airships, literally known as Airfish, could be seen lined up within maintenance hangars. These were crafts generally used by the Imperial Guard to respond to threats outside the city, but they were also used to simply move from the Palace to other areas of the Capital. Airfish were one of the most common forms of long-distance transport in the entire Magical World, with larger vessels even being known as Air Whales.
Seeing the unique crafts up close, Vahn imagined Da Vinci and Sophia would both appreciate their structure quite a bit. It was interesting to see so many different types of Airfish, some modeled like sharks and minnows while others, for reasons he could only speculate on, even had the appearance of clownfish and tuna. This lent a certain novelty to the Airfish, and, under the right conditions, the presence of a large number of Airfish could make the sky seem like a vast ocean...
Since the Imperial Palace towered over the rest of Alpheus like a veritable mountain, the easiest way to depart the massive structure was by using an Airfish. There were physical gates and passages you could pass through, but, as that would take literally hours, it was rare to see anyone but members of the Imperial Guard wandering about the base of the Imperial Palace. This was, of course, by design, allowing the members of the Imperial Family and the upper echelons of the Nobility to basically live a separate existence from the plebian masses.
Vahn didn't disagree with the principle of distancing yourself from those you ruled over, but, as the line of thinking of most 'Nobles' was to elevate themselves above others, he found mountain-sized Imperial Palace excessive. If you intended to directly rule someone, you should live among them and try to understand their needs. Lowering your subjects just so you could elevate yourself further only resulted in the development of negative sentiments and the propagation of corruption. This allowed criminal organizations to run rampant behind the scenes, sowing the seeds for future rebellions and the forceful change of power.
Were it not for the existence of Vrixho Nagasha limiting the line of succession to a single heir, there is a chance the Hellas Empire would have fallen long ago. Any nation that relied on slavery and the existence of public distractions to ensure order had already undermined their foundation. It was for this reason, that, during the Great Magic War, nearly every member of the Imperial Family was wiped out. The only surviving members were the Emperor himself and the Third Imperial Princess, the latter surviving only as a result of the actions of Ala Rubra.
Repressing a sigh, Vahn looked out over the admittedly beautiful Capital City, noticing everything was surprisingly well maintained. Though there were a few examples of high technology, most used magical energy as a power source. Littering was also treated as a rather serious offense, and, if you were found piling up waste or disposing of things improperly, you would quickly find yourself in a prison cell or serving time as a Gladiator.
Due to the prevalence of Spirits, every nation placed a heavy emphasis on ensuring the environment was properly cared for. Upsetting the Spirits could, quite literally, lead to the death of a nation, as, in the most extreme cases, annoyed Earth Elementals would simply move to a more pleasant area. This would result in widespread famine, as, without a proper balance in the Elemental Spirits, producing staple foods was impossible. The land would quickly become a wasteland, encouraging even more Spirits to simply leave the area in search of better prospects.
If he were being honest, Vahn found this type of system rather endearing as he hated the idea of destroying the environment for things like profit. Here, unless you made a contract and came to an agreement with the local Spirits, mining was virtually impossible. While it was a simple matter to try and collect small amounts of ore, setting up a large-scale operation would literally result in massive earthquakes and cave-ins. The Spirits did not tolerate arbitrary destruction of the environment, and, based on the number of ruins present throughout Mundus Magicus, it was obvious some countries had learned this the hard way...
---
After around twenty minutes of flight time, the result of strict limitations on the speed Airfish could travel in residential areas, Vahn saw a massive Coliseum that was nearly 800m in diameter, roughly four times the size of the famous Roman Coliseum. It also had magical defenses that rivaled those present within the Imperial Palace, with the Arena itself having exceptionally powerful barriers. Vahn even felt as though his most powerful attack might not be able to penetrate these barriers, at least in his base state.
Generally speaking, Airfish were only allowed to land in designated areas known as Fishports, but, as a vessel belonging to the Imperial Guards, the one carrying Vahn was able to land near a specialized docking station that was reserved from the exact purpose of turning over prisoners. There were even different processing areas depending on the severity of a person's crimes, the most notable of which including stripping people bare of their possessions and placing slave collars around their necks...
Vahn hadn't expected it to be a pretty sight, but, seeing children wearing little more than rags as they were forced through the processing line and issued shackles and a collar wasn't pleasant. The systematic nature of the entire process left a bad taste in his mouth, starting with the newly arrived 'Gladiators' being stripped down completely naked. They were then doused in cold water for several seconds before being forced to stand in a long queue, bodies shivering as they awaited their turn to receive new garments...
Any excitement Vahn had about the Magical World quickly evaporated when he saw such scenes. He knew many of the children were orphans who sought to become Gladiators in order to improve their living conditions. They were much like the Supporters in the Record of Danmachi, innocents who had been forced into their situations as a result of events outside of their control. Now, due to the failure of the ruling class, they had to put their lives on the line just to avoid starvation...
With his smile nowhere to be seen, Vahn began emanating a terrifying aura that caused everyone in his immediate surroundings to tense up. There were few things he hated more than seeing children exploited by the very society meant to protect them, especially when the Imperial Palace was filled to the brim with artifacts that displayed their vast wealth. It almost felt like they were more focused on simply displaying their wealth to other members of high society than actually using it to ensure the prosperity of their people...
Feeling someone tug at the chains connected to his shackles, Vahn's instinctually jerked his arms in response, sending the foolhardy member of the Imperial Guard flying several meters. This caused the other members of the Imperial Guard to draw their weapons as Jagoda, sensing things had gone south, attempted to defuse the situation by shouting, "Stay your arms! You do not have the order to attack...!"
While Jagoda was attempting to get control of the situation, Vahn broke free from his shackles in an instant, his body vanishing like a phantom. Before anyone sensed his new location, a crashing sound could be heard echoing through the area, following by a pained groan. When they turned towards the direction of the sound, they could see a rather fat man wearing an outfit formed from the hide of various animals. He had a pig-like face, an eye patch covering his left eye, and a large whip that was visibly stained with blood still clutched in his hands.
Recognizing the man as one of the Coliseum's Quartermasters, a position given to those meant to assign quarters, rations, and clothes to new arrivals, Jagoda quickly realized the reason for Vahn's actions. She turned her eyes towards the group of provisional Gladiators, a group that would need to train for a few years before officially fighting in the Coliseum. There, a young Cat Beastman could be seen curled up on the ground, a rather vicious whip mark along her exposed flank. She had tried to refuse to have a collar placed around her neck, resulting in the Quartermaster punishing her for stepping out of line...
Before Jagoda had fully processed the situation, the Quartermaster embedded into the wall became completely limp, the bloodied whip falling from his hands. Around the same time, another crashing sound resonated through the area, this time the result of a sadist-looking Dragonfolk being thrown with enough force that he crashed through one of the large holding cells, his body separating into several distinct pieces due to the reinforced cell bars.
As could be expected, things quickly became chaotic once two people were killed in roughly the time it took to take a single deep breath. Those that didn't truly want to become Gladiators felt emboldened enough to make a break for it while those who felt they didn't have a choice just curled into balls, hands covering their heads to show they were resisting. They didn't know what was going on, but, after experiencing numerous hardships, they lacked the will to fight against the Enforcers of the Coliseum.
Like an unstoppable tempest, Vahn's figure could be seen appearing and disappearing around the processing area. Those who were notorious for their mistreatment of slaves were met with gruesome ends while those who were simply doing their job only suffered light injuries. It was like watching a one-sided slaughter, as, due to the ferocity and swiftness of Vahn's attacks, many of the workers had yet to even realize what was happening. Some even tried to appeal to the group of Imperial Guards nearby, but, fearing things would only get further out of hand, Jagoda ordered her men to capture the escaping prisoners without interfering in the onslaught. This ultimately resulted in her own men being spared Vahn's fury, albeit at the cost of the Imperial Guard's prestige...
---
After effectively killing or crippling more than half of the Coliseum personnel tasked with handling incoming Gladiators, Vahn appeared in front of Jagoda with a deadpan expression on his face. This caused her body to tense up, but, remembering the displays of power he had shown, she managed to avoid drawing her weapon, muttering, "Regardless of the circumstances, this incident amounts to a case of mass murder..."
Shaking his head, Vahn rebuffed Jagoda's statement, saying, "This was justice. Do not pin the failings of your system on me, Madame Magistrate. I am well aware of your penal code, specifically the areas that define the treatment of slaves and Gladitorial potentiates. I need not tell you this is a disgusting violation of your own Empire's own laws, yet, based on how casually the Coliseum's personnel went about their business, even in the presence of Imperial Guards, it is clear this is the 'norm'. You expect me to obey your laws when you only selectively enforce them? Preposterous."
Vahn had fully intended to just go with the flow, but, after seeing a grown man smiling sadistically as he whipped a literal child, he completely lost interest in laying low. Those who allowed him to act in such a way shouldered the same sin, so, from his perspective, the Imperial Guard had no ground to stand on. The only thing that prevented him from rampaging further was the fact that, despite their gross incompetence, most members of the Imperial Guard had lighter auras. Jagoda's, in particular, had been a muted blue with bands of gold, indicating she was a calm, rational, and fairly righteous individual...
Understanding the truth contained within Vahn's words, Jagoda could only clench her right fist as she made a mental note to punish Deputy Magistrate charged with ensuring the Coliseum properly followed Imperial Law. She would also need to talk with the Imperial Guards tasked with maintaining order around the Coliseum, as, much like Vahn had pointed out, the behavior of the Quartermaster was entirely out of line. The problem was, even if that were the case, Vahn had no right to impose his form of justice onto them. His actions violated both the Spirit and Letter of the Law, accruing nearly a hundred felony offenses in less than five minutes...
Ignoring the venomous look Jagoda was giving him, Vahn passed his gaze over the Imperial Guards as he added, "If you are unwilling to fulfill your obligation, do not blame me for taking matters into my own hands. If you wish to label me as a criminal, feel free to do so. I have never cared about the opinion of hypocrites who only mete out justice when it is convenient. Now, this is the last chance I will be affording you...if you continue showing me such disgusting sights, you only have yourselves to blame for the outcome..."
Causing a few members of the Imperial Guard to take a step back, Vahn extended his hands so that new bindings could be put into place. He had already stated he was willing to accept punishment for the laws he had violated, but, during his first meet with Jagoda, he also promised that he would only take action when his bottom line was touched. This remained the case, so, unless they tried to force even more crimes onto him, ignoring the fact he was taking action as a result of their negligence, he still intended to serve time in the Coliseum.
Seeing Vahn's outstretched hands, Jagoda resisted the urge to remark how pointless it was to bind him when he just kept breaking them. Instead, she snatched a pair of shackles from one of the shell-shocked Imperial Guards, clasping them around Vahn's wrists before personally escorting him to the area reserved for processing prisoners with high social status. It actually wasn't that uncommon for public officials to end up serving time in the Coliseum, so, for a variety of reasons, their processing and treatment was exponentially better than normal Slaves and Gladiators.
At this point, Jagoda just wanted to be rid of Vahn, leaving him for someone else to deal with. She felt like he was a calamity that had befallen the Empire, but, much like Jack, it didn't seem like there was anything they could do about him. She would need to further discuss this with the Emperor and other public officials as her instincts told her this wasn't even the tip of the iceberg when it came to the trouble Vahn would bring them...
---
While Vahn was causing headaches in the Hellas Empire, four figures had only recently arrived in one of the eleven Gateports that connected Mundus Magicus to Mundus Ventus, the Old World. Among them, a youth with somewhat spiky and untamed red hair could be seen looking around, his muted brown eyes glimmering with excitement. Behind him, a bespectacled man with raven black hair that was styled back in a way to make him appear more youthful, couldn't help but release a sigh as he said, "Nagi, I thought I told you not to go running around...you're behaving like a country bumpkin entering a large city for the first time..."
Hearing the older man's complaint, the youth, Nagi Springfield, just laughed in a carefree manner before saying, "Come on, Mr. Konoe, give me a break! This is my first time in the Magical World! THE Magical World! How could I not be excited!? I can't wait to meet powerful opponents and explore all kinds of hidden regions! I also want to try riding, no, taming a Dragon...!"
Unable to keep up with Nagi's fervor, Mr. Konoe, full name Eishun Konoe, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away his sweat, issuing a dry laugh in response. As for his other two companions, the one with delicate features and pale purple hair just smiled as he softly stated, "Go easy on him, Eishun. To Nagi, this is a mystical land that had filled his dreams for years. Allow the boy to spread his wings."
Following up with what the purple-haired man said, the youngest-looking of the four, appearing even younger than the twelve-year-old Nagi, added, "Sanders is right. Besides, if you try and keep that birdbrain restrained, he'll just peck at you until you let him go. This is an opportunity for him to grow much stronger, so don't get in his way. I only allowed you to come on this trip because of that old man of yours. If you interfere in my student's growth, I'll deport you back to the Old World."
Turning his head to the fair-skinned youth with spikey white hair and amber eyes, Eishun adopted a slight frown on his face as he said, "Hey, he is my student as well. Don't try and steal credit for all of Nagi's progress. Besides, where do you get off calling other people old? Aren't you like six-hundred years old or something...?"
Hearing Eishun's remark, the youth, appearing no older than ten, just waved his hand in a dismissive manner, remarking, "Don't you know? Youth is all about spirit! Even if I were ten times older, I'd still be young at heart! Besides, if we're talking about-"
Before the youth could finish, the purple-haired man, true name Albireo Imma, squinted his eyes as a rather dangerous smile replaced his previously 'harmless' expression. Then, in an icy tone, he mused, "Oh? Don't mind me, 'Young Master' Zect. Please, do go on~."
Despite being the 'strongest' in the group, the youth, known as Filius Zect, elected not to finish his statement, issuing a wry laugh before running over to his disciple's side. He had fought against Al a few times in the past, and, though he had 'won' each of their bouts, he hadn't so much as caused the purple-haired monster to sweat. Their battles always ended up with Al simply 'giving up', seeming none the worse for wear while all his opponents were left struggling for air. He was a true monster, and, even after trying to ascertain Al's true identity, Zect had only discovered an unfathomably deep mystery that seemed to trace back to the very origins of Magic itself...
Seeing Zect run off to engage in mischief with their shared disciple, a smile spread across Al's face as he mused, "Muuuu...and I was really curious, as well. Tell me, Eishun, do you have any idea what Zect was trying to say~?"
Hearing Al address him, Eishun noticed the amount of sweat on his brow increase exponentially as he released a dry laugh and answered, "I have absolutely no idea...hahaha..."
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Spirits don't mess around','The Hellas Empire is so fucked xD...','The greatest mystery in the entire Akamatsuverse is the true identity of Colonel Sanders o_o...')
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